Viking Designer Quartz 29 vs Husqvarna Viking Designer Sapphire 85

The Sapphire 85 is the stronger machine: a bigger 8-inch screen, 680 stitches versus 250, 629 built-in designs versus 180, a much larger embroidery field and a 10-inch workspace to the right of the needle. The Quartz 29 is the easier machine to start on, with a simpler feature set and a lighter body at about 13 kg. Owners of the Sapphire line praise the feeding and stitch quality on thick quilts and delicate fabrics; the Quartz 29 draws praise for being approachable, but its small hoop and limited design library frustrate people who get serious about embroidery.

• Choose the Quartz 29 if you are new to embroidery, want a lighter machine you can move, and mostly monogram and embellish small projects within a 170 x 100 mm hoop.
• Choose the Sapphire 85 if you embroider large designs, quilt or sew garments, and want the bigger screen, the wider stitch range and the 360 x 350 mm hoop capacity.